Town leaders had been eyeing an outright ban along with the zoning changes, but Attorney General Martha Coakley ruled earlier this month that towns cannot outright ban the facilities, so the proponents removed that from the proposal, Planning Board Chair Lester Hensley said.

“Without this bylaw we have nothing,” and are beholden to state decisions, Hensley said. “With this bylaw, we can at least execute some control over our future.”

Cultivation activities and treatment centers must also be 500 feet from several types of properties including residential districts, places where minors frequent and drug and alcohol treatment centers, according to the bylaw.

Hensley said medical marijuana reduces the perception of risk and increases availability – two factors the drive youth marijuana use.

Hensley said the adult entertainment zone is in the west end of town adjacent to Northborough.

Town Planner Jim Robbins said the board picked that area because it is already designated for unusual uses that landowners know that could impact their property values.

Resident J.J. Malone proposed an amendment creating a March 31, 2014 sunset clause on the bylaw.

Voters defeated that with 58 opposed to the amendment and 46 in favor.

“If you don’t like the law you don’t change it through zoning,” Malone said. “You should go to the Legislature and change it there.”

The bylaw effectively constitutes a ban, Malone said, noting it includes a statement that any special permit issued under the bylaw must comply with relevant local, state and federal laws. Medical marijuana is illegal federally though federal law enforcement has not spent time enforcing it in states where it is well run, he said.

Town Counsel Greg Franks said this is different than towns that tried to outright ban it because federal law can change at anytime.

Planning Board members reviewed data and positions on both sides of the issue before coming up with the bylaw, Hensley said. State health officials have yet to release regulations and there are many unknowns about the issue such as what constitutes a 60-day supply of marijuana, he said.

The bylaw can be modified if concerns turn out unfounded, he said.

In other business, Town Meeting approved a $7.3 million project to renovate Town Hall.

Town Manager Jim Malloy said the project will include renovating the second and third floors, removing asbestos, adding an elevator and fixing water leaks. Using the second and third floor will give the Police Department the ability to expand in the Forbes Municipal Building saving the town from building a police station or large public safety complex.

Bob Brown of the Municipal Building Committee said construction costs are rising and the project will cost more money if it is delayed.

“It makes sense to fully use Town Hall and all its space so we can build less and renovate less in other places around town,” resident Joe McManus said.

Opponents of the article argued it had not adequately been reviewed publicly and now was not a good time from an economic and tax burden standpoint to proceed.

“We need more information before we vote for this,” resident David Brown said.